David Had God's Presence, Protected Throughout His Life

Good day to all. Let us examine 1 Samuel, chapter 28. We must see the story to its conclusion. As a Chinese saying goes, He who laughs last, laughs best. This chapter tells the story of David, who had God's presence, and Saul, who had lost it.

Firstly, this chapter speaks of David running to Achish. This is the same David who killed the Philistine giant Goliath. Moreover, the saying, Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands, was well-known not only among the Israelites but also among the Philistines. Furthermore, David wielded the very sword of Goliath, the Philistine. David was, by all accounts, the enemy of the Philistines. Logically, this was a golden opportunity for Achish to avenge Goliath, but Achish not only did not seek revenge but also appointed David as his bodyguard commander.

The duty of this bodyguard commander was to protect the commander of the king's guards, wielding considerable power. This matter seems truly miraculous from a human perspective, with something utterly impossible coming to pass. From this, it can be seen that with God, nothing is impossible. Therefore, everyone should learn the lesson that having God's presence is infinitely good. If you feel that it makes little difference whether or not God is present, or that even with God's presence, some things are impossible, then trouble, undoubtedly, lies ahead.

Now it happened in those days that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, “You know assuredly that you will go out with me to battle, you and your men.” So David said to Achish, “Surely you know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Therefore I will make you my permanent bodyguard.” (1 Samuel 28:1-2)

As we read this, we should learn to ponder how to turn the impossible into the possible. In the scriptures, God making the impossible possible is a common occurrence. For example, when Jacob was returning from his uncle Laban's house to Canaan, his twin brother Esau came to meet him with four hundred soldiers, intending to kill him. But as Esau walked, he remarkably forgot the purpose for which he had brought his troops, and upon seeing Jacob, he ran to embrace him. These are all the works of God. A life with God's presence is infinitely good, but we often mistakenly place idols before us, regarding things like postgraduate exams or civil service exams as the most important things in life. Some even believe that money, houses, or any problem in life can be placed in the most important position, while the presence of God is deemed unimportant. This can only be described as tragic.

These first two short verses reveal the immense beauty of having God's presence! It is unfortunate that people do not realize how important God's presence is. Without God's presence in life, one might feel like a hero when all is well, but at the first sign of trouble, one becomes panicked. So, do not merely pay lip service to believing in Jesus. Without God's presence, what good does belief do? Some people attack heresy in the name of God, only to become nearly heretical themselves. Many, lacking God's presence, are still zealous for God because of the idols within them.

We must begin to understand where God truly stands in our hearts – is He with us? Many outwardly appear to be serving God, but in reality, they consider that position to be of utmost importance. Some pastors, as they serve, begin to feel that the church is their territory, turning the church into their idol. They might combat heresy, exorcise demons, and denounce idolatry in the church, yet they themselves engage with the demonic – is this not perverse? Therefore, one must constantly examine the priority of God in one's heart, knowing that one cannot live without God's presence. For once one loses God's presence, one will live like Saul.

Saul Lost God's Presence

Now the Philistines gathered together, and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “In En Dor there is a woman who is a medium.” (1 Samuel 28:4-7)

Once one loses God's presence, one becomes fearful and uneasy at the slightest trouble, feeling guilty and timid. The Philistine army encamped at Gilboa, opposite Israel, ready to attack. Saul, as king, immediately panicked and trembled greatly upon seeing the Philistine army. At this time, Saul desperately sought God, but God gave no response because he had already lost God's presence. Therefore, he was bound to be afraid when facing enemies or insurmountable situations. Who allowed Saul to value some things more than God? Now, reflecting on the past, how did he complete the tasks God gave him?

Now Saul had neither revelation nor dreams, nor did he have the Urim or any prophet to answer him. Samuel had also died at this time. It was a situation where heaven did not respond, and earth did not answer; he was anxious! Saul had previously ordered that no one in Israel should consult mediums, telling people to avoid superstition. But when facing trouble, he was at a loss and grasped at straws, suddenly thinking of consulting a medium. See what state Saul had fallen into?

Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” And Saul answered, “I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do.” Then Samuel said: “So why do you ask me, seeing the Lord has departed from you and has become your enemy? And the Lord has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. (1 Samuel 28:15-18)

Saul went to consult a medium without receiving revelation, which indicates that he had some knowledge of the spiritual realm, but he simply did not put God first – how foolish! Some among us are the same; they are not entirely ignorant of the spiritual realm, but they do not put God first. We need to ponder this and ask ourselves whether we have listened to the words of the Lord God. Many people think that mediums can summon Samuel from the earth, but Samuel is not actually in the earth. The scripture mentions the medium bringing Samuel up from the earth, but that is merely how the narrative unfolds. As for who that actually was, it is uncertain.

A medium is a medium. Although something did come up, and it appeared to be an old man in a robe, resembling Samuel, some people thought it was the real Samuel. But it was actually a demon. What mediums contact are demons; they cannot contact Samuel, nor can they contact Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We must not think that this was the real Samuel. Often, confusion within us leads to a lack of clarity about spiritual matters. Saul sought out a demon in this way.

Let us insert a brief anecdote here: How could the demon that Saul contacted know about Samuel? Moreover, what the demon said sounded very much like it came from Samuel himself. I will tell you, from the moment each person is born into this world, there will be a demon or several demons accompanying them, recording everything a person does and says like a video recorder. As soon as someone mentions that person, the demon knows everything. We might think this person is reincarnated, but they are not; it is just that the demon knows their past and present life.

The passage mentions that the demon Saul contacted had accompanied Samuel from birth, so it knew everything Samuel had done and said, even mimicking his voice perfectly, like an uncanny imitation show. If you are in a dream or a vision, or if you are consulting a medium and have your family members brought up from the earth, the medium will speak to you as if they know everything. This is because the demon that has accompanied your family member from birth to death knows your family inside out. This is why I am teaching you not to be deceived. If one day you dream that your deceased family members ask you to burn some paper offerings, it is actually a demon, not your family, so do not be fooled.

Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.” Then immediately Saul fell full length on the earth, and was dreadfully afraid because of Samuel’s words. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day or all night. (1 Samuel 28:19-20)

Saul fell full length on the earth abruptly. We can sense that he saw a ghost. Although sometimes people also fall full length when they see God, his condition at the time was that he was completely frozen.

Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and spiritists out of the land. (1 Samuel 28:3)

There is also a deeper meaning implied here. In that generation, when the Israelites faced trouble, they could seek advice from Samuel. But after Samuel died, they could only rely on consulting mediums to find Samuel. Moreover, the relationship between Samuel and Saul was also very peculiar because if everyone went to Samuel through mediums, it would affect Saul's rule. Do not think that Saul wanted to prohibit consulting mediums; he actually hoped to use administrative power to make people seek him, the king, when they had problems, rather than seeking Samuel. However, seeking Saul was useless. Even establishing a petition office outside the palace could not solve any problems.

Because Saul had lost God's presence, all of Israel was in a very tragic state. Everything they did was to invite a demon. Even without invitation, the entire country was in a state where demons could roam freely. Losing God's presence is a curse. Chinese Mingding Destiny states that a curse is that what you do has no God with you and protecting you. If only demons are with you, they will cause you trouble all day long. The day after Saul saw the medium, he and Jonathan died in battle. God knows everything about the future, and so do demons. The reason why Saul went to see ghosts the next day was the work of demons.

How Saul Fell to Such a State

How did Saul fall to such a state? I suggest that everyone compare themselves and think about it. A sister shared with me a story she recently read about a real estate tycoon. This business magnate constantly expanded his business in various ways, making his business his life. As a result, he lived in constant fear, not knowing where the future lay. Later, he consulted mediums and sought out masters, and heeded a very evil suggestion. The medium told him that if he did as instructed, his business kingdom would flourish, but he would have a short life.

Between the continuous prosperity of his business kingdom and his own long life, he chose the prosperity of his business kingdom. This evil idea was to absorb yin energy from cemeteries. Over time, he became very pale, especially his complexion, and his business did indeed flourish. Therefore, many people believe in raising spirit children, which is actually quite powerful. Some people seek guidance from masters, but end up losing their lives for it. The business magnate in the story also died within a few years.

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)

News reports that many people in this generation work desperately to do business, but often the business remains while the person is gone. The reason Saul fell into such a state was that he valued the position of the King of Israel too much and forgot that the country was entrusted to him by God to manage, not his own. As a result, the Kingdom of Israel remained, but Saul was gone. What profit was that to him? Saul wanted to keep the Kingdom of Israel, which God had entrusted to him for management, forever.

In reality, Saul was merely a manager, not the boss. God entrusted the Kingdom of Israel to him to manage, but over time he regarded himself as the boss, leading to such a tragic ending. Saul managed the Kingdom of Israel very diligently because he thought the country was truly his. He did not do as God told him, but according to his own ideas, resulting in God's rejection.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:23)

Saul thought the throne was his, but God rejected him and took the throne away, giving it to David. Therefore, never regard the things of this world as your life. Even if you are building a church or serving as a pastor, the church is not yours; it is entrusted to you by God to manage. Manage it well according to God's will. God told Saul to kill all the Amalekites, but he disobeyed God, showing pity to God's enemies. As a result, God was particularly angry and left him. Because God was angry with the Amalekites, He commanded Saul to destroy them, but Saul kept those people and things, and even fabricated a lie to deceive God.

In fact, offering oxen and sheep to Jehovah was merely a facade. The primary reason was that Saul had his own ideas, and the kingship became his snare. The ultimate conclusion was that God regretted making Saul king. Actually, the nation of Israel still existed afterward, but King Saul was gone the next day. I have seen many people like this, always feeling that they can grasp something in this world, but in reality, they can grasp nothing. People need to understand how to maintain God's presence. Without God's presence, one can do nothing on their own. People themselves cannot bear such things; only with God's presence can they bear them.

Therefore, never take some things too seriously, or you will be blinded. When you encounter problems again, there will be no one to answer your calls to heaven or earth, and even fervent prayers will be of little use. Because people have forsaken God, and God has also forsaken them. They still insist on going their own way, thinking that these things are under their own control, not knowing that God is in control, even our own lives are under God's control. I am happy as a pastor because I know that everything is under God's control, how easy. It is not just entrusting it to God, but doing as God commands, and nothing will collapse.

Some people insist on doing things according to their own will. God says to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons, but they say that is Pentecostalism. God says to receive the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and you will receive power, but these people say that if the Holy Spirit comes, what if evil spirits come? Do you often hear people say such nonsense: do not seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, because if you seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, evil spirits will come. We find it very strange because the Bible does not teach that way. The reason why people have drawn such conclusions is that when the Holy Spirit comes, the demons inside people will cry out. People think that they only cry out when the Holy Spirit comes, but in fact, it is the demons inside people crying out after the Holy Spirit comes. Don't be afraid when you encounter such situations again. When more of the Holy Spirit comes in, more evil spirits will be driven out.

I used to attend a meeting, and a demon-possessed person came to me during a break. I prayed with him to be filled with the Holy Spirit. When the demon was leaving, he started screaming. The course administrators hurried over to help him pat his chest and back, which, according to me, was putting the demon back in. In fact, they should have allowed the Spirit of God to continue working without fear, but they did not have my experience, so I do not blame them. However, it would be troublesome if God were to blame them. Such stories are too numerous to count. Churches these days are talking nonsense and doing things wrong. Churches that do not follow God's will are countless.

Never think that being a church pastor means you have the final say; in the end, God has the final say. We do as God says. Some people not only do not do it but also say: Entrust it to God and let God do it. Isn't that troublesome? Saul fell into such a state because he wanted to hold onto the position of King of Israel tightly so that the position could be passed on to his descendants for generations. Unfortunately, just giving you a kingship does not mean it can be passed on to your descendants for generations. Even if you call yourself Qin Shi Huang, the kingship will be gone by the time of Qin Er Shi because it is not up to you.

Saul fell into such a state because he made the nation of Israel an idol. Church pastors must not make the church their idol; pastoral leaders must not make their pastoral district their idol; those in charge of a ministry must not let the ministry become your idol. You must know that it is not yours; God is in charge. You just need to do according to God's will. Do not compete, compare, or be jealous. I have a simple requirement for church pastors, which is to shepherd well with the heart of a father and mother, and the way to shepherd depends on solving people's problems. If no problems are solved, then you have just played a bit part. How will you give an account to God in the future? You cannot even pass my accountability.

Many people do business, and the business becomes their bondage; build a church, and the church becomes their bondage. In reality, God has given you this matter only to train you to be a faithful servant. The sin of rebellion is equal to the sin of witchcraft. If you rebel and do not keep the commands of Jehovah your God, in the end, it is equal to the sin of witchcraft. Once the nation of Israel became Saul's idol, he became very nervous when the Philistines came to attack him. Because he felt that the nation of Israel was his, and he did not know how to respond, he began to consult mediums and practice witchcraft, mainly because he took this matter too seriously.

Among us, there are pastors who take pastoring too seriously and are about to be controlled by it, which is turning things upside down. The reason is simple: he feels that that small piece of land is his. I asked him to serve with the heart of a father and mother, but he controls that small piece of land very tightly. If someone being pastored comes to find the pastor, he asks why they went over him to find the pastor. In fact, it is not a problem for people to go over him to find the pastor. People are not thinking about solving problems but are taking themselves too seriously. Doing ministry and feeling that the ministry is his, as if he is amazing, is like Saul.

The king said to the woman, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see a spirit ascending out of the earth.” So he said to her, “What is his form?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is covered with a mantle.” And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground and bowed down. (1 Samuel 28:13-14)

Saul was confused when he heard the medium say that an old man wearing a robe came up from below, thinking that was Samuel. Originally, the kingship was Saul's position of service, but at this time, it became his snare. I often remind myself not to let service become my snare because I cannot control it; God can still control it. God has given me this position, and I will be a faithful servant. When I have the opportunity to come before God and receive His praise, saying that I am a faithful and good servant, that is what I really think, not just trying to influence everyone.

Learn a lesson from it

We are just stewards, and these things are not ours. Develop the habit of being a faithful steward. A faithful steward does not serve according to his own will but according to God's will. In fact, many times we only see the surface of the problem. For example, Saul will die in a few chapters, and he did not do anything well in the world. He even committed the sin of rebellion and the sin of witchcraft because he took his kingship too seriously.

If a person takes their business too seriously, once the business becomes their core interest, they will dare to do anything. If it makes the business prosperous to eat faeces, you may eat it without hesitation. If it makes the business successful to drink virgin urine, you will dare to drink it because the desire is too strong. Once the business, work, church, or pastoral district becomes your idol, you will pay any price for it without complaint.

Someone calculated that they should live to 73 years old, then calculated again after a while and could only live to 63 years old, and then calculated again after a while and could only live to 53. They still felt dissatisfied, why can it only be 53? However, over time, they could end up only living to 23 years old. Have you heard of Luo Cheng Calculating Fate? Luo Cheng once had his fate calculated by Xu Maogong, who said that he could live to 73. Who knew that he would be shot through by arrows at the age of 23, because of the things he had done before shortening his life. He later found a fortune teller and said: You started reading books at the age of seven or eight, learned martial arts at the age of nine, mastered both literary and martial arts at ten, destined by fate at eleven, left your parents and went outside, attacked Dengzhou at night at the age of twelve, saved your cousin as a matter of course, went to Yangzhou to take the imperial exam at thirteen, shot a golden coin with an arrow and became a martial arts champion, visited bandits in the green forest at fourteen, and made friends with many literary and martial arts champions, made thirty-six sworn brothers, gathered in Wagang Mountain at fifteen, sold silk thread at sixteen, and took in Jin'e Nü Chan Juan, protected Li Yuan at seventeen, and returned to the true Lord at eighteen, making countless contributions.

Luo Cheng was very surprised when he heard this and asked the Taoist to continue calculating: Sir, your fortune-telling is better than a fairy, Luo Cheng said there is no need to calculate the past, just tell me my lifespan, the old Taoist said benefactor let me calculate your lifespan, but I am afraid that benefactor you will turn your face, Luo Cheng said sir, tell me the truth, I will not turn my face and cause trouble, the old Taoist said I do not care what others calculate, I calculate your lifespan is twenty-three, Luo Cheng turned his face at that time, you old Taoist dare to talk wildly, Xu Maogong also calculated for me, he calculated my lifespan is seventy-three, we have no grudges or hatred, why reduce my lifespan by fifty years?

The old Taoist said: You have a cousin named Qin Shubao, you secretly cheated in the exchange of martial arts, you have three ways of the Five Tiger Broken Door Spear, you have a unique skill that you do not pass on, preparing to turn your face in the future, you have many tricks and your heart is not upright, reducing your lifespan by ten years, Cheng Yaojin is your sworn elder brother, you should not have punched him, you committed a crime by hitting your elder brother, reducing your lifespan by another ten years.

Ten years of shortening life like this, then ten years of shortening life like that, and finally only 23 years left. So why did Luo Cheng do these things? It is because he felt that these things were very important to him, and it did not matter if he shortened his life a little. Who knew that in the end, it would all be shortened, and it was useless to keep that martial art, and he could only live to twenty-three years old. I urge everyone not to make idols but to learn to keep and follow God's words, which can fulfill your destiny. I keep urging everyone to have a Mingding Destiny. If taking the postgraduate entrance examination is your destiny, then taking the postgraduate entrance examination will shorten your life by ten years. If taking the civil service examination shortens it by another ten years, it is a very tragic life to think about.

Therefore, I urge you to put God first in your life, and it will not shorten your life. Even if the COVID-19 virus comes before you, it cannot do anything to you. Putting God first is very important. Some people's parents die, and the children care most about the property. If someone comes to ask for my opinion, I will say that whoever wants that thing can take it. Do not shorten your life for this matter. A few days ago, a sister's adoptive father died, and there were two houses left without a will. My suggestion is not to fight for it, be generous, because we do not live by these things.

It turned out that the Taoist who calculated Luo Cheng's fate above was Xu Maogong's master. He was more accurate than Xu Maogong. Our brothers and sisters must know how real the things in the spiritual realm are. Therefore, never take the kingship too seriously like Saul. In the end, the kingship is still there, but he is no longer there. Chinese Mingding Destiny emphasizes Mingding Destiny because it does not shorten life and is with God when alive, as good as David. Never think that valuing these things can bring you anything. There are countless similar cases in our China. Someone once drove me past the HNA Street in Haikou. It is said that for the sake of HNA's business, even the boss has to take all the executives to worship idols. Do you think that doing this will shorten your life? Bringing ghosts all day long just for his business. But some people dare to do anything for his business, for the idol in his heart.

Everyone can probably understand now, as for me, I do not want to stretch my hands too long, nor do I want to make it so big. I do not want to manage so much, and it does not matter who wants to establish another mountain. Because that is not my Mingding Destiny, I will manage what God has entrusted to me, that is all. I find many things very boring. If a person cannot see through these things, they cannot serve God and will lose God's presence. Once a person loses God's presence, God will send an evil spirit to descend upon you, and everything you do will be very difficult. Ten years of shortening life on the left and ten years of shortening life on the right, just拼命 for idols. Maybe Alibaba will still be there in the future, but those people in Alibaba now are no longer there. Maybe IBM is still there this year, but the people who founded IBM are no longer there. Does thinking about it this way make you see through a little bit?

Some people in the workplace are very calculating. Their minds are really too偏了. This is not your destiny. We really do not need this. Never value these things, causing yourself to lose God's presence. In the future, whether you like it or not, once those things become your idols, they will become your snares, and you will be tightly trapped by the idols. For the core interests in their hearts, people can eat human faeces and drink virgin urine, and they are willing to do anything. In ancient times, Goujian tasted excrement. That was for his core interests.

If you put God in your life and make Him the most core thing, with the determination that no matter what, I will keep and follow Him, doing so will not shorten your life, not to mention that you will have God's presence when you live in this world. Historical stories and what we have seen with our own eyes can all be summarized. Do not give yourself an idol. By the time the idol may still be there, but you are no longer there, what is the point? Love God well. God is everything to us. This is what Chinese Mingding Destiny teaches.

Why is there infighting in the church? In fact, after the fight, there is no result. What is the point? Therefore, I want to teach the brothers and sisters to learn to see through. Once you see through, you will know how wonderful it is to have God's presence. Never lose God's presence. Do not treat the little thing in your hand as your destiny, as if you have to拼命 for it. That is an idol!

May God bless everyone!